Edward M. Cramp is a higher education attorney who specializes in representing private postsecondary education institutions. Mr. Cramp advises his clients in all areas of operations, including the application of state and federal laws, regulations and accreditation standards. He also represents and advises clients in civil rights matters, including defending against claims by students and employees in areas such as the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title IX of the Higher Education Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and analogous state laws. He advises clients on a range of business issues, such as mergers and acquisitions, licensing, trademark and copyright.

Mr. Cramp is active in the private postsecondary education community. He serves as general counsel to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools. He regularly speaks on a wide range of issues pertaining to the sector.

Mr. Cramp served on active duty and in the reserves as a judge advocate in the United States Navy, where he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his time in the services, he defended numerous matters before courts-martial convened in the United States Armed Forces. He also represented the interests of the United States in actions involving claims brought against and on behalf of the Navy.

Mr. Cramp currently serves as an advisor to and a member of the board of directors of the San Diego Association of Business Trial Lawyers. Admitted to practice in California and Illinois, Mr. Cramp is a graduate, with honors, of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law and a graduate of the University of California, Riverside.

Areas Of Practice

Higher Education
Business Litigation

Representative Matters

Represented a large California college before the Commission on Dental Auxiliaries (COMDA) and the California Dental Board. Before the college engaged Duane Morris, COMDA recommended revocation of its approval of the college's Dental Assistant Program. Duane Morris successfully convinced the Dental Board to return the matter to COMDA with a recommendation to reinvestigate the matter. A favorable outcome was achieved culminating with COMDA approving the Dental Assistant Program.
Defended a nationally-accredited college in an alleged sexual harassment and retaliation claim by a student. The student dismissed her claims during the arbitration hearing following an aggressive investigation and cross-examination.
Defended a California private post-secondary school in an investigation by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The investigated an instructor's claim of sexual harassment and retaliation. Counseled client through the process of terminating the manager who engaged in the alleged harassing conduct. Convinced the DFEH to make a finding of no actionable harassment or retaliation.
Represented a Texas educational institution in an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. The OCR investigated a claim of disability discrimination and failure to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Counseled client to ensure compliance with federal law. The OCR subsequently dismissed the claim.
Represented a large Ohio cosmetology school in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor concerning the exempt status of its instructors. The Department's investigator initially concluded the instructors were entitled to overtime pay. The matter resulted in finding that the instructors were exempt from overtime.
Defended a California technical college against a fraud and wage and hour claim by a disgruntled employee. Successfully defeated the employee's attempt to bring a class action and enforced an arbitration provision. The arbitrator rendered a decision for the school.
Represented a national fast food franchise against a sexual harassment claim against a supervisor. The case resulted in a verdict for the employer.

Professional Activities

General Counsel, American Association of Cosmetology Schools
General Counsel, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools
Member, Board of Governors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers
San Diego County Bar Association
Naval Reserve Association

Admissions

California
Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California
Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of Illinois

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., with honors, 1996
University of California, Riverside, B.A. Economics, B.A. Political Science, 1993

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2007-present
- Associate, 2003-2006
Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP, San Diego, California
- Associate, 2001-2003
United States Navy, Judge Advocate General's Corps, San Diego, California
- Trial Attorney, Judge Advocate, 1996-2000

Board Memberships

Association of Business Trial Lawyers, San Diego Board of Governors

Civic and Charitable Activities

Program Coordinator, Duane Morris San Diego Office Pro Bono Program

Selected Publications

"Validity, Interpretation and Application of State Blacklisting Statutes," American Law Reports, West Publishing Group, 5th ed., 2001

Selected Speaking Engagements

"Internet Highway Robbery: Protect Your Domain, Trademarks, & Copyrights from Cyberthieves," 2008 CCA Annual Convention
"Katie Bar The Door! Protecting Yourself From Privacy Problems & Internet Scoundrels," 2008 AACS Spring Management Conference
"Workplace Violence Prevention & Arbitration Tune Up," 2008 Duane Morris Employment Law Updates
"How To Beat Back The Regulatory Huns: A Personal Battle Plan For Surviving The Regulatory Dark Ages," 2008 CAPPS Legislative Conference
"Your Do-It-Yourself, Life Changing, School Saving, Nan-Lawyer Enriching, School Director's Legal Boot Camp In A Box," 2008 CAPPS Director's Bootcamp
"Lessons From The Legal & Regulatory Trenches," 2007 AACS Annual Convention
"Wage & Hour Class Action Prevention Kit," 2007 PCEA Annual Meeting
"Your Do-It-Yourself, Non-lawyer Enriching, Absolutely Free Personal Tort Reform Kit," 2007 AACS Spring Management Conference
"Top 10 Reasons Why I'm Stuck In This ADA Lawsuit Instead Of Running The School," 2006 AACS Annual Convention
"Wage & Hour Law: Learning To Pay What You Have To," 2006 AACS Spring Management Conference
"Top 10 Management Practices To Use To Get Successfully Sued By Ungrateful Former Employees," 2005 AACS Annual Convention
"Employee Handbooks and Recordkeeping," 2002 Council On Education In Management Seminar
"When Johnny (or Jane) Comes Marching Home: Reemployment of Military Reservists," 2002 Employment Update